US Bridges

NC55 over Bachelor Creek

Fair

Craven County, North Carolina · 0.6 Mi. E. Jct. SR1244 · Structure no. 000000000490061

Built
1928
97 years old, rebuilt 1966
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
71 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,200
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

NC55 over Bachelor Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying NC55 over Bachelor Creek in Craven County, North Carolina. It was built in 1928 and reconstructed in 1966, so it is 97 years old, older than the North Carolina average of 38.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 2,200 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,400 by 2040. The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNC55
CrossesBachelor Creek
Location0.6 Mi. E. Jct. SR1244
RouteState Highway 55
CountyCraven County
StateNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.16826, -77.16493
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating45 US tons
Inventory rating26.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 15
Structure length71 ft (21.6 m)
Longest span33 ft (10 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.3 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,200 (2022)
Projected traffic4,400 by 2040
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was NC55 over Bachelor Creek built?

It was built in 1928, making it 97 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1966.

What condition is NC55 over Bachelor Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in January 2025.

How much traffic does NC55 over Bachelor Creek carry?

About 2,200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is NC55 over Bachelor Creek?

The structure is 71 ft (21.6 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns NC55 over Bachelor Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.